Lemlem, born in Tigray, crossed to Ethiopia with her two Eritrean sons !
https://www.icrc.org/en/document/ethiop ... rea-asmara
Eritrea / Ethiopia: Mother, daughter reunited after 18-year separation
23 March 2016
Lemlem, 40, returned to Ethiopia late last year with two sons born in Eritrea after receiving assistance from the ICRC.
Born in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia, Lemlem grew up in a small village near the Eritrean border. After Lemlem had given birth to a baby girl, Lemlem's husband abandoned the family. She then decided to cross over into Eritrea in the hopes of finding a better job and life. Lemlem made the difficult decision to leave her young daughter behind with the child's grandmother.
In Eritrea, Lemlem gave birth to two sons and raised them as a single mother. She found work as a baker – making the regional specialty enjera – and as a hairdresser. But wages were low.
Last year, after 18 years in Eritrea, Lemlem decided she should return to Ethiopia, though she had heard the route was dangerous.
"Besides, I did not know how to obtain the papers and make sure I could take my sons along. Thanks to the support of the ICRC in Asmara, I found the courage to start the administration process," she said.
Lemlem had first contact with the ICRC in Asmara when she received news of her family in a Red Cross Message. "Ever since I left my little daughter in Ethiopia, I had not had the chance to see her. I saw her for the first time two years ago in the photos she sent with a Red Cross Message. When I got her pictures, I felt like she was right beside me," said Lemlem.
"The ICRC in Asmara helped me to cover the expenses for the transportation and supported me with getting the papers."
